Avoiding Home Equity Loan Scams
Predatory lending has become a serious problem. Many states now have laws in place to protect borrowers. If you plan on getting a home equity loan, you will want to do your homework and be wise to some of the home equity loan scams that are turning many borrowers into victims.
Loan Flipping
This home equity loan scam has been around for ages. Loan flipping occurs when the same loan is refinanced repeatedly. Each successive loan has a higher fee than the last, and the borrower ends up chucking out thousands of dollars, increasing their debt with each loan flip. Beware of any lender who encourages you to refinance your loan repeatedly.
Deed Stealing
Predatory home equity loan lenders may contact you and offer to help you with home equity financing. There is only one catch—you must sign over the deed to your property. The lender may claim that it is only a temporary measure, but chances are it isn’t. Once the lender has the deed to your property, you lose all rights and become a “tenant”. If you miss a mortgage payment, the lender has every right to evict you from your own home.
Equity Stripping
Equity stripping is another common home equity loan scam. It starts when the lender encourages you to get a home equity loan, knowing that you cannot afford to make the required home equity loan payments. In some cases, you may be asked to lie about your income on the home equity loan application. The lender knows it is only a matter of time before you default on your loan. This is when they swoop in, foreclose on your home, and strip you of the equity you have built up over the years.
Should You Get a Home Equity Loan Online?
Need a home equity loan? You may want to consider getting a home equity loan online. The competition between online lenders is fierce and the application procedures are virtually painless.
There are several advantages to getting a home equity loan online. Online lenders are offering the lowest home equity loan rates that have been seen in years. And, getting approved for low rate loan has never been easier. If you are interested in getting a home equity loan online, here are some tips that may help:
Applying for a Home Equity Loan Online
Many people worry about typing their personal information into an online application, but the process is actually very secure. Any website that allows you to apply for a home equity loan online has been safeguarded against hackers. The information that you input into the system is only available to you and the lender.
Comparing Online Lenders
By applying for a home equity loan online, you can compare offers from a variety of different lenders without having to do a great deal of legwork. Many websites are dedicated solely to this purpose. This makes comparing the rates and lending fees of home equity loans online easier than ever.
Line of Credit vs. a Traditional Home Equity Loan
If you want to tap into your home’s equity, you have two options: a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. This article may help you decide which one is right for you.
Deciding between a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit can be difficult. Both financing options are worthy of consideration, but neither is right for everyone. Before making a decision, it is important to examine all of the pros and cons and how they apply to your situation.
Home Equity Line of Credit Pros and Cons
A home equity line of credit is perfect for homeowners who want a low introductory interest rate and access to a revolving line of credit. This type of financing often limits the amount of interest paid and curbs excess borrowing. However, there are often continuing costs associated with a home equity line of credit. Homeowners may also be subject to periodic credit reviews if they want to keep the line of credit open for a substantial amount of time.
Home Equity Loan Pros and Cons
A home equity loan is great for homeowners who need a lump sum of cash for a predetermined expenditure. Interest rates are locked in at the beginning of the loan and payments will never fluctuate. However, these rates are often higher than the rates given with a home equity line of credit.
How Much Does a Home Equity Line of Credit Cost?
If you have equity built in your home, you may be able to get a home equity line of creditfor a price. This article offers information on how much a home equity line of credit will cost you.
A home equity line of credit can be a valuable source of financing, but it doesnt come for free. There are costs involved. The amount that you pay and the type of fees that you pay will vary depending upon the lender. Here are some of the most common fees associated with a home equity line of credit:
Upfront Closing Costs
When you apply for a home equity line of credit, you pay many of the same fees that you paid when you got the original mortgage. Upfront fees may include an application fee, a title search fee, appraisal fees, attorney fees, and points.
Continuing Costs
To get a home equity line of credit, you may be required to pay continuing fees. Such fees may include an annual fee or a transaction fee. Not every lender requires you to pay continuing fees, so be sure to shop around.
Interest Rates
The interest rate on a home equity line of credit is often a variable rate, meaning it moves up and down. Because these rates can vary so widely, it is a good idea to compare several lenders to get the best deal possible.
Home Equity Loan Lending Fees
If you are in the market for a home equity loan, you may be wondering what types of lending fees are involved. This article answers that question and more by explaining some of the fees you may be asked to pay when applying for a home equity loan.
Home equity loans are readily available to homeowners—for a price. When you apply for a home equity loan, there will be several fees that you are required to pay. It may be a good idea to plan ahead and save up the money you may need.
Typical Home Equity Loan Fees:
- Home Equity Loan Application Fee: Sometimes called a loan processing fee, an application fee is paid to the lender when you apply for a home equity loan. Application fees vary depending on the lender. If you do not qualify for the loan, this fee may or may not be refunded.
- Appraisal Fee: The amount of money that you can borrow depends heavily upon your home’s value. When you apply for a home equity loan, you will be asked to pay for a home appraisal. The fee for this is set by the appraiser and could cost approximately $250-$750.
- Miscellaneous Fees: In addition to the fees mentioned above, there may be other fees that you are asked to pay to secure your home equity loan. These fees vary be lender and include: origination or underwriting fees, lender or funding fees, document preparation and recording fees, and broker fees.
Cash Out with a 125% Home Equity Loan
When you get a home equity loan, you may be able to borrow as much as 125% of your homes value. A 125% home equity loan can provide you with a great deal of cash when you need it. However, there are a few things you should know about 125% home equity loans before applying. Read on to learn more.
A 125% home equity loan allows you to borrow more money than your home is worth. These loans are perfect for homeowners who dont have a great deal of equity in their home or for those who need large sums of cash. But, before signing on the dotted line, there are a few things that you should consider.
Interest Rates on 125% Home Equity Loans
Not every lender offers 125% home equity loans. Because of this, interest rates may not be quite as competitive for this loan type. When searching for a 125% home equity loan, pay special attention to the interest rate that you will be paying. Make sure it is reasonable and comparable to the rates being offered on traditional home equity loans.
What is the Money Being Spent On?
The money received from a 125% home equity loan can be spent in almost any way you choose. However, some expenditures are better than others. Debt consolidation, home improvements, or college expenses are all great reasons to get a 125% home equity loan. Luxury vacations and new wardrobes arent. Because you will be repaying everything you borrowplus interestevery penny should be spent wisely.
Can a 100% Home Equity Loan Help You?
There has been a significant increase in the amount of 100% home equity loans that are being given to borrowers. But, is it wise to borrow 100% of your homes equity? If you are considering a 100% home equity loan, you need to read this article.
When you get a home equity loan, you may be able to borrow as much as 100% (and sometimes more) of your homes value. But, if you do that, you have used every bit of equity that you have in your home. For some people, that may not be a problem, but others may want to look before they leap into a 100% home equity loan.
Reasons to Get a 100% Home Equity Loan
A 100% home equity loan can provide you with maximum cash. If you need to consolidate high-interest debt and need every penny you can get your hands on, a 100% home equity loan may be your best option.
Home improvements are also another good reason to consider a 100% home equity loan. By making home improvements, you can increase the value of your home and build more equity in the process.
Reasons Not to Get a 100% Home Equity Loan
When you get a 100% home equity loan, you do not leave yourself with many options for the future. If you find yourself in a financial emergency, your homes equity will not be there to bail you out. Consider this carefully before applying for a 100% home equity loan.
Qualifying for a Low Rate Home Equity Loan
Qualifying for a low rate home equity loan is very important. The interest rate that you pay can affect your loan payment by as much as $100 each month. If you plan on tapping into your home’s equity anytime soon, this article can provide you with the tips you need to secure a low rate home equity loan.
Qualifying for a low rate home equity loan can save you thousands of dollars in interest payments over the life of your loan. This leaves many people wondering exactly what it takes to qualify for a low rate. The answer: good credit.
Checking Your Credit Report
Lenders use your credit history to determine what kind of interest rate will accompany your loan. If you have good credit, it will be much easier to obtain a low rate home equity loan. To see what your credit score is, pull a copy of your credit report.
Boosting Your Credit Score
If you are afraid that your credit isn’t good enough to obtain a low rate home equity loan, try boosting your credit score. One of the fastest ways to do this is by reducing your credit card balances. The larger the gap is between the amount of credit you are using and the available credit limit, the better it will look for you. If possible, reduce your credit card balances to less than 30 percent of your available credit limit.
Working with a Home Equity Loan Calculator
Is borrowing from your home’s equity a sensible financial solution? Can you afford the monthly payments? Sometimes, these questions can be hard to answer. A home equity loan calculator may be able to help. This article offers tips on working with a home equity loan calculator.
Many websites now offer a home equity loan calculator to help you determine how much equity you should borrow and how much of a monthly payment you can afford. There are several different types of calculators currently available. Using the right one for your situation is the only way to make sure this resource works for you. Here are the most common types of home equity loan calculators and their purpose:
Home Equity Loan Calculator #1: The Affordability Calculator
This home equity loan calculator helps you determine how high of a payment you can afford. By punching in the amount you want to borrow, the estimated interest rate, and your other debts, you can decide whether or not a home equity loan is an affordable option.
Home Equity Loan Calculator #2: Debt Consolidation Calculator
If you plan on using your home equity loan to consolidate debt, this home equity loan calculator can help you calculate the advantages and the disadvantages.
Home Equity Loan Calculator #3: Home Value Calculator
The only way to determine exactly how much your house is worth is by getting a professional appraisal. However, there is a home equity loan calculator available that can help you estimate your home’s current value. This can be a handy resource when doing preliminary research.
Can You Get a Bad Credit Home Equity Loan?
Many people who have bad credit worry that they cannot get approved for a home equity loan. Fortunately, that is not true. It is possible to get a bad credit home equity loan. In fact, it may be easier than you think.
Because bad credit is such a common problem, there are many lenders who now specialize in bad credit lending. If you need a home equity loan and your credit is less than perfect, you may want to consider contacting one of these lenders. They may have a bad credit home equity loan that can help you.
Shopping for a Bad Credit Home Equity Loan
One of the first places you may want to begin looking for a bad credit home equity loan is the Internet. The online lending market is very competitive, and many lenders will be willing to work with you regardless of your credit history.
Qualifying for a Bad Credit Home Equity Loan
Qualifying for a bad credit home equity loan isn’t as difficult as many people think it is. In fact, it’s much easier than qualifying for a first mortgage. Because you have equity in your home, and because you are willing to offer that home as collateral, you hold more risk than the lender. As such, they are usually more than willing to get you the cash you need.